Talking Catholic

“Do good for yourself, by doing good for others.”   The action-packed, self-sacrificial life of Saint John of God is chronicled in the latest Talking Saints.  The story of March’s saint has it all- drama, chivalry, high adventure, and the ultimate conversion.  Listen to Laurie and Pete’s conversation on this inspiring servant of the poor, sick, and abandoned now! Listen to Talking Saints with Laur...

This week we welcome on to the show Mark Berchem, founder of NET Ministries and well-known Catholic speaker, to chat about the upcoming Step Up Day for Men and Dads event he is co-presenting with Manuel Huerta. Also joining us are our colleagues from the Diocese of Camden’s pastoral wing, Andrés Arango and Dr. Michael Sims. Our guests showcase what attendees to the free event on March 16th in Vine...

For the past four years, a seasonal homeless shelter has operated in Atlantic City that is like no other in the history of the resort town. The Saint Joseph Winter Shelter at Quaremba Hall on the campus of Saint Michael Church (the Parish of Saint Monica) in the city’s Ducktown area has been the newest outlet for the charisms of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. Joining us on the show today t...

It’s Catholic Press Month so we decided to bring in a few heavy hitters, Gretchen Crowe, Editor in Chief of OSV News and Jennifer Brinker, Reporter for the St. Louis Review. These two are media veterans with decades of experience who also sit on the board of directors for the Catholic Media Association, where Gretchen currently serves as president. The duo chat with hosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh...

This week, Jen Mauro and the Diocese of Camden’s Vocations Advisory Board had the pleasure of touring Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, also know as Dunwoodie, to learn more about how the school has introduced the propaedeutic stage to their seminarian program. Including a walk through of the great facility, the VOAB group were able to sit down with seminarians currently in this new intense...

Your hosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh had a busy week, so busy they couldn’t land a guest. However, they didn’t want you to miss out on all the happenings so they decided to do a recap show that included some information on Catholic Press Month, how Catholic Schools Week went, the upcoming Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday convergence, the proper way to build a PB&J sandwich, the mystery of saintly reli...

This week we welcome back Michael Sims, Th. D, for a chat about his upcoming pre-Lenten reflection series titled “Why we do what we do as Catholics” to be held at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Marmora on February 1 & 8. This series is one of several events Dr. Sims is helping coordinate throughout South Jersey over the next several months. Side note: we also do a deep dive on the benefit of jou...

"Have faith and keep up your courage."  As Talking Saints kicks off a new year, Laurie and Pete unpack the life of Saint Angela Merici, a 16th century virgin and foundress.  This devout young woman, called by God to establish the Company of St. Ursula, devoted her life to the education of young women and the care of the poor.  On her feast day, may we follow her example in caring for those God has...

The Diocese of Camden’s Office of Catholic Education recently welcomed its newest staff member, Sarah Kerins, Ph. D., Assistant Superintendent for School Services. On this week’s episode, host Marianela Nunez and co-host Michael Bress talk with Sarah about her journey through Catholic education as a teacher, principal, and most recently, Director of Enrollment and Marketing for the Diocese of Alle...

We bring in two favorites this week to talk about the next phase of the Synod and clarify some of Mike’s comments from last episode regarding what happens when a new bishop is named to a diocese. Fr. Jason Rocks and Donna Ottaviano-Britt bring their wealth of knowledge to educate Jen and Mike on these unique elements of Catholicism.   Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at...

We start off the New Year with a great chat with three South Jersey Catholic authors - historical novelist Laura Quinn, poet Nicole Rollender, and spiritual resource writer Domenic Scarcella. Each of them have recent publications that either draw on or are focused on the Catholic faith. It’s a great conversation regarding the writing process and what draws them to the art form of the written word....

The role of the Director of Catholic Identity is a very special one at the high schools in the Diocese of Camden. The priests that hold these positions are not only spiritual directors for the student body, but are often seen as advisor, counselors or someone to talk to when a student is having a rough day.   On this episode of Talking Catholic, host Marianela Nunez and co-host Michael Bress speak...

“I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.”   Saint Thomas Becket, 12th century Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury, held much power in life, but after his martyrdom in his own Cathedral, he ascended to even greater glory.  In this month’s Talking Saints, hosts Laurie and Pete trade stories of his life and friendship, and later conflict...

For our last podcast of 2023, we welcome in beloved and award-winning Talking Saints podcast co-host Laurie Power to discuss Advent and her newest vocation, consecrated virgin. She has now entered into a new status within the church by becoming consecrated into one of the oldest orders of the Catholic faith, which took place on November 21 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where Bishop...

The ability to collaborate with colleagues in the same field is important, especially in Catholic school enrollment. Sharing ideas, plans, and social media campaigns, provides everyone the opportunity to see what can work best for different audiences. This week, hosts Marianela Nunez and Michael Bress spoke with colleague and fellow school enrollment professional, Kristin Moore, Director of Market...

Kari and Mike start off today’s episode with a little Advent chat and then speak with a contingent of young Catholics who recently returned from NCYC 2023, the National Catholic Youth Congress in Indianapolis. This year’s four-day conference hosted 13,000 young people from across the country and featured breakout sessions, keynote speakers, Masses, time for confession, and camaraderie with their f...

On this last day of November, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Andrew- apostle, fisherman, and brother of Simon Peter. Hear Laurie Power and Pete Sanches discuss the life of this follower of Jesus, and learn how to pray the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena. It is thought that whoever recites the following prayer 15 times a day, from Nov. 30 - Dec. 25, will obtain their favor requeste...

As we begin to wind down 2023, it’s not too late to consider how you can support the Catholic entities that support all of us throughout the year - schools, parishes, and ministries. On today’s show, we welcome Diocese of Camden’s professional fundraisers, Stacy Napolitano, Associate Director of Major Gifts and Stewardship, and Andrew Goos, Associate Director Development. The two give us a lot of...

“We need to be there for them.” Such were the sentiments of Steven Martin, a Vietnam War veteran, as he discussed the importance of welcoming fellow servicemen and women into the Catholic War Veterans Post 1578, based in Bridgeton. Martin and Father Matthew Weber, chaplain of the Catholic War Veterans Post, Deacon Charles Dillin, Sam Pace and Albert Siedlecki talk about the Post, their military se...

This week we're joined by two great members of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, Christine Willard, Director of Senior Ministry, and Nicole Keefer, Director of Parish Nursing and a wellness nurse in the Diocese of Camden. These two tornados of energy chat with us about the importance of their ministries to people in need, which can be of any age, but with a special concern for seniors. It’s a...

November 5-11 is National Vocation Awareness Week and to chat about it, Mike sat down with two of his favorite young priests and vocation directors, Fr. Adam Cichoski and Fr. Joshua Nevitt from the Diocese of Camden. The duo tag team the vocations process in South Jersey, with Fr. Josh as the defacto promoter/recruiter and Fr. Adam as the seminarian discernment steward. We discuss their work AND t...

In the Catholic Church, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day begin the month of November, with the following weeks dedicated to praying for and remembering those who have passed away. Father Jason Rocks, chancellor for the Diocese of Camden, joins hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro this week to discuss how to let the Church’s saints be true companions in our daily lives and how purgatory is an opportuni...

Early childhood education, especially at the preschool level, has become increasingly important for families. To that point, the preschool programs across South Jersey Catholic Schools has seen an increase in enrollment. But, how do you pick the right program for your child?   On the show this week, hosts Marianela Nunez and Mike Bress were joined by Teresa Casanas, Dual-language Pre-K Leader/Teac...

On today’s episode Kari and Mike welcome to the show renowned speaker and author Jason Evert. He was in South Jersey for a few days giving talks on Chastity to high schoolers and Dating 101 to college students. The trio have a great chat about his ministry, where he got his start, his philosophy on successfully engaging with young people, and how he remains so prolific. To learn more about Jason a...

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.” On today's Talking Saints, hosts Laurie and Pete unpack the life of “Good Pope John.” Having been elected at the age of 76, many thought he would be a transitional pope, but John XXIII's short, yet impactful papacy, proves that we can be God's instruments at any age. Po...